The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-01-21

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the doorway tall. fil'cly formed
man. who introduced himzt u n X ,.
Svaxee. Of course, We all .'osc. but
Nellie was little slow alnuf d. ing -.
and Matte swept past her with 'ecu-
liar movement that threw her arm out
~ position. Was il accidental? ]
thought Matte WAS trying 10 suppress
q gigglc a. she moved further forward
and oiiered her hand a. Mr.. Swazee.
with some gushing remarks about her
great happiness AZ having met him. ]
can not tell how got through the pre-
scntation. in which Miss GrilIer. being
eldest. acted A. mistress ~ ceremonies,
any further than Matte Merlin remem-
bcred for me. She informed me after
ward that ! had behaved very badly,
that had been as shy as rabbit. and
cold A. raw potato. Ionly know that
the man Of magnificent presence and
courtly manner who stood before me
exercised upon me 50 strange an inilu-
ence that my first impulse was to Is
cape from the room. my next 70 fall
upon my knees. All shis sounds very
absurd. l am sure. bur l relate facts.
After the opening Of school we found
ourselves liable 10 receive calls from
the principal ut any moment during
the sessions. Miss Griller complained
70 me that he was sure 10 drop in when
She had bad recitation in progress.
and that ne was a meddlcsome rat. al
ways wanting TO lepd her his books.
and looking diSplcascd II she failed 90
read them and adopt their new-fanglcd
notions.
We held weekly ''teachers' meetings"
at which we Were all expected 10 BE-
present. and at each u which one
model lesson WAS given. These were
not begun until the second week, and
a. was the last called upon to give
one. my turn did not come until the
sixth week Of school. | had prepared
my self thoroughly and drilled my class
with great care, but. as my pupils
ranged before me. passing mp the worn
stairs and through the long hall. my
heart almost failed. What could ac-
compli-h with his eye upon me' Never
yet had he entered my room hut ! had
grown confused and committed out
ragrous blunders: would the Jealous
eyes II the other teachers. who did not
wish to be outdone. lessen my cmbar-
ra<>ment Or add TO it?
Near the upper end II the hall Matte
Merlin Joined me. and. with nudge
md giggIe. whispered:
| Wont You thank your stars. Ray.
hen its over? o my. you'll make a
failure. I'm sure, We are All geese be-
fore his High Migh,ine-<, Lord Swazee.
and YOU are worse than any 81 u.s.
never saw You put out until he came.
and now you are the sun-slial and he
| j. the sun. We can always tell whef
the sun shines on the dial by the color
Of it, face"
Should make good her words ans
thus put the keen sting Of truth in hel
coarse taunf? asked myself No.
would put myself down. ! would for
get Mr.. Swazee and the other teachers
l would remember my work alone, ans
enter ul,on it with my old-time natura
enthusiasm. A. walked into tn
schcol-room and paced slowly up thu
aisle toward its front. was ncrvin;
myself. summoning all the strength ans
courage IF my nature 70 my aid. Ans
/ did not fail My success was =
marked that II surprised me. II eve
was brilliant In my life | was brillian
on that October afternoon. with i
waning sunlight slanting through tn
high Windows II Is = mistake 70 thinl
the work Of teacher j. all dull routine
leaving no margin for original geniu
and personal power. Emily Knox toll
me afterward that l had clcctri:ie
them all. but the Others were stifh
silent.
Once during the passage 81 the reel
tation had caught peculiar look i
the eve II Mr.. Swazee. ] had no
dared 10 lift my eyes to his face agai
until it, close. when l expected som
little word II commendation. but h
withheld my just praise from me an
was aftcrwari. II possible. more col
toward me than before. So far n wa
able TO judge from his actions he ha
taken dislike 70 me at our introdu'
tory meeting. and il had strengthens
~ the long weeks passed. Toward I'll
other teachers his manner was kin
. and fricndly--to Nellie Melville sons
: thing more than friendly. thought
for me. alone, there was reserve an
GOODNESS. almost icincss.
ii After that hrst model lesson given Y
, me Mr.. Swazec did not visit my d
) partment for months Even the exam
D nations conducted by him in All oth'
| grades were left to me in mine "
, met in the halls and bowed each oth'
} \ reserved good morning. We met
teachers meetings and wasted
Y words upon each other. II changes
|. school routincs demanded commune
q tions between as all was done BY meal
A of curt notes saying the ncccssa'
4 words. no more. And yet loved N